We’re not really thinking about it, but it’s weird that Google did not create a standalone version of the Computer Assistant, is it? Or at least one built into Chrome. After all, Chrome OS has it now, and the Assistant is also a big part of the Android experience (Bixby damn). We even buy smart speakers and screens for the whole house, headphones can talk to Google, and yet our desktops and laptops are ignored. But if you want to close the gap on your own, you can do so. There is an unofficial Google Assistant desktop that is a pain in the ass to set up, but manner more beautiful than it has any right to be.
The client was created by developer Melvin L. Abraham, and you can download it from the project’s GitHub. Just keep in mind, the drafting process is kind of unpleasant. You need to register for a Google Cloud account (the free trial is sufficient) and follow the thirty step-setup process here. The very short version is that you will register your own project with Google so that you can use the Assistant API in some way probably is not made for. This is probably also against Google’s Terms of Use, so it may stop working at any time.
Although you do not have to be a developer to follow the steps (or even understand it, it is not that difficult), it is certainly not a simple process. But if you let it work, you can enjoy the Assistant directly from a window on your desktop.
The overall interface is actually pretty good. Based on what I can see, it seems to channel a more phone-based assistant UI – although it looks like a smart screen, a few things seem different to me. The microphone trigger remains at the bottom right, but you can also enter commands via a text input field on the left. Themes window controls are at the top right and the settings are on the left. There’s also a history, accessible via the forward / backward buttons at the top left, and it even buried light / dark theme support in the settings menu.
There are quite a few settings available.
The window is adjustable and you can set it to stay on top, close when it loses focus, or even activate the microphone automatically for commands when opened. It has a keyboard shortcut (ctrl + win + a on Windows) and even a built-in update, all with a nice Googly design, large links, rounded corners and Google fonts. (Much nicer than Google’s only other standalone desktop product: the CPU-destroying, random-desktop-icon-flickering shower that is Backup and Sync.)
Most basic Assistant commands work – or at least work just as well as on other supported devices. The biggest obstacle is the lack of visual controls for some queries, such as when you ask your thermostat if you want to adjust your lighting. It may show images if you ask for it (also from your Google Photos) and provide visual feedback, but following up on smart home controls is either via recommendations at the bottom or nothing, so it’s not as helpful as an assistant powered smart screen that can show large buttons to change settings. Still, it’s hard to complain too much when it’s free.
Light and dark modes.
That said, many commands do not have work. There is no always-listen mode, and ongoing conversations are more consistent than on other devices – although the settings menu implies that the feature is supported, it just seems random and just works manner after you expected it. I also could not activate third-party services like Spotify or Netflix, which makes sense. But that does mean you can not use it to play music or start streaming on other devices. Lastly, my routines didn’t work either.
The unofficial Google Assistant client on macOS (above) and elementary operating system (below).
If you want to give it a try, there are even MacOS and Linux versions, although some of the settings we mentioned differ between platforms.
While I sincerely hope our coverage does not bring down the Google banhammer, this information is too great not to share. Why is Google not creating a Desktop Assistant client?